Table extension system

ABSTRACT

A system for fastening a table extension to a table includes an anchor plate for fastening to the table, a rail with at least one protrusion extending through an opening in the anchor plate and positioning the rail on the table, a fastener extending through the rail into the table to fasten the rail to the table, and another fastener extending through the rail into the table extension to fasten the rail to the table extension. A system alternately includes a bracket, a rail with a table skirt and an end passing through the bracket, a fastener extending through the bracket and engaging the rail with the table skirt portion in a retracted position, the fastener to be disengaged from the rail and the table skirt to be placed in an extended position, the fastener to be reengaged with the rail, and another fastener to extend through the rail to fasten the rail to the table extension.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/059,112, filed on Jul. 30, 2020, incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to tables or other flat surfaces, and inparticular to an apparatus for extending a surface of a table.

BACKGROUND

Attaching a big and heavy extension board to the end of a dining tableis difficult without having a support system permanently affixed to theunderside of the table. Furthermore, for tables without skirts, forexample, trestle tables or pedestal tables, there is nothing in place tovisually cover any support system. Presently available systems generallyare limited as to the weight and length of the extension board beforesagging or flex occurs.

It would be advantageous to provide a table extension system thataddresses these and other problems associated with extending the surfaceof a table.

SUMMARY

In at least one aspect, the disclosed embodiments are directed to asystem for fastening a table extension to a table, including an anchorplate for fastening to the table, a rail with at least one protrusion,the protrusion configured to extend through an opening in the anchorplate and to position the rail at a particular location on the table, afirst fastener configured to extend through the rail into the table tofasten the rail to the table, and a second fastener configured to extendthrough the rail into the table extension to fasten the rail to thetable extension.

The opening in the anchor plate may include a keyhole shape to capturethe protrusion.

The anchor plate may be configured to fasten to an underside of thetable.

The system may include a recess in the underside of the table to provideclearance for the protrusion when the anchor plate is fastened to theunderside of the table.

The rail may include an extended cuboid shape.

The system may include a threaded insert embedded in an underside of thetable for accepting the first fastener.

The system may include a threaded insert embedded in an underside of thetable extension for accepting the second fastener.

When the protrusion extends through the opening in the anchor plate, therail may be positioned to extend from an underside of the table tobeyond a side of the table.

The first fastener may be configured to extend through the rail into thetable to fasten the rail to the table and the second fastener may beconfigured to extend through the rail into the table extension to fastenthe rail to the table extension while the table extension abuts the sideof the table.

The first and second fasteners may include a threaded shaft extendingfrom a knob.

In at least another aspect, the disclosed embodiments are directed to asystem for fastening a table extension to a table, including a bracketfor fastening to the table, a rail having a table skirt portion mountedat one end and a second end passing through the bracket positioning therail at a particular location on the table, a first fastener configuredto extend through the bracket and engage the rail, pressing the railinto contact with the table, with the table skirt portion in a retractedposition, wherein the first fastener is configured to be disengaged fromthe rail and the table skirt portion is configured to be placed in anextended position, the first fastener is configured to be reengaged withthe rail, and a second fastener is configured to extend through the railinto the table extension to fasten the rail to the table extension withthe table skirt portion in the extended position.

The bracket may include a threaded portion through which the firstfastener extends.

The bracket may be configured to fasten to an underside of the table.

The rail comprises an extended cuboid shape.

The table skirt may be positioned on an underside of the table in theretracted position.

The table skirt may be positioned to extend beyond a side of the tablein the extended position.

The first fastener may be configured to be reengaged with the rail andthe second fastener may be configured to extend through the rail intothe table extension to fasten the rail to the table extension with thetable skirt portion in the extended position while the table extensionabuts the side of the table.

The first and second fasteners may include a threaded shaft extendingfrom a knob.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows exemplary components of a table extension system accordingto the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates an underside of an exemplary table and an extensionthat may be used to extend the table using the disclosed table extensionsystem;

FIG. 3 shows an example of the table extension system attached to atable and table extension;

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the table extension systemaccording to the disclosed embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows exemplary components of the additional embodiment of thetable extension system;

FIG. 6 illustrates an underside of an exemplary table and an extensionthat may be used to extend the table using the additional embodiment;and

FIG. 7 shows an example of the additional embodiment of the tableextension system attached to a table and table extension.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed embodiments are generally directed to a rugged,aesthetically appealing, removable, table extension system with a hiddensupport system. The embodiments may provide a removable table extenderrail system, with components that remain in the table that are generallyhidden from view. The disclosed system may be lockable and clampable,easy to use, and aesthetically subtle when in use, and when not in use.For skirted applications, the disclosed embodiments slide smoothly alonga set of brackets attached to an extendable section of the skirt.

Referring to FIG. 1, at least one embodiment of the table extensionsystem 10 includes at least one anchor plate 100, at least one rail 200,and at least one fastener 300, for fastening an extension to a table.The anchor plate 100 may have an opening 102, for example, in the shapeof a keyhole, with a circular or oval portion 104 for receivingprotrusions of the rail 200, and an elongated portion 106 for capturingthe received protrusions. The anchor plate 100 may also include mountingholes 108 through which anchor plate fasteners may be inserted forfastening to the table. The anchor plate 100 may be constructed ofmetal, for example, steel, aluminum, or bronze, plastic, or any materialcapable of adequately supporting the components of the system 10.

The rail 200 may have an extended cuboid shape and may include at leastone protrusion 202. The protrusion 202 may include a shaft 204 extendingfrom a surface of the rail 200 and a head 206 attached to an end of theshaft 204. The dimensions of the head 206 allow the head 206 to beinserted into the circular or oval portion 104 of the anchor plate 100and also allow the head 206 to be captured by the elongated portion 106of the anchor plate 100. The rail 200 may be constructed of rectangulartubing and may be fabricated of metal, plastic, or any material suitablefor supporting a table extension. The rail 200 may be may be sized tosupport the weight of a table extension. Typical tubing sizes may rangefrom ¾″ square to 2″ square, however any suitable tubing size may beused. The rail 200 may be cut to a length suitable for engaging anynumber of anchor plates 100 and to extend beyond receptacles installedin a table extension. The protrusion 202 may be integral to the rail, ormay be implemented by fastening the protrusion 202 to the rail 200. Insome embodiments, the protrusion shaft 204 may extend through the rail200 and may be secured by protrusion fasteners, for example, pins orthreaded nuts. The rail 200 may further include through holes 208 which,in some embodiments, may be located proximate each protrusion 202. Thelocation of the keyhole in the anchor plate 100 and the protrusion 202in the rail 200 may correspond such that the protrusion 202 may beinserted into the circular portion 104 and slid into and captured by theelongated portion 106.

The fastener 300 may include a threaded shaft 302 extending from ahandle 304. The threaded shaft 302 may extend through the rail 200 intothe table to further fasten the rail 200 to the table. An additionalfastener 300 may extend through the rail 200 into a table extension tosecurely fasten the rail 200 to the table extension. While the fastener300 is shown and described as a hand knob, the fastener 300 may be anytype of fastener suitable for securing the rail 200 to a table and forsecuring the rail 200 to a table extension.

FIG. 2 illustrates an underside of an exemplary table 400 and anextension 500 that may be used to extend the table 400 using thedisclosed system 10. In some embodiments, the table 400 may be providedwith recesses 402 to allow mounting one or more of the anchor plates 100flush with the underside of the table 400. Additional recesses 404 maybe provided over which the anchor plates 100 may be positioned toprovide clearance for the received protrusions 202. The table 400 mayalso be provided with receptacles 406 for receiving fasteners for fixingthe anchor plates 100 to the underside of the table 400, for example inthe form of holes, threaded inserts, or any suitable fastening systemfor securing the anchor plates 100. The underside of the table mayfurther be provided with additional receptacles 408 in the form ofholes, threaded inserts, or any suitable fastening system for receivingthe threaded shafts 302 of one or more fasteners 300. The exemplarytable extension 500 may also be provided with receptacles 502 in theform of holes, threaded inserts, or any suitable fastening system forreceiving the threaded shafts 302 of one or more of the fasteners 300.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the table extension system 10 attached to thetable 400 and table extension 500. In this example, four anchor plates100 may be attached to the underside of the table 400, the protrusions202 of two rails 200 may be captured by the elongated portions 106 ofthe anchor plates, and the rails 200 may be secured in place byinserting the shafts 302 of the fasteners 300, shown as hand knobs,through the holes 208 in the rails 200.

An example installation of the disclosed embodiments may begin withrouting recesses for the anchor plates 100 in the underside of thetable. Additional recesses within the footprints may be routed toaccommodate the protrusion heads when inserted into the anchor plates100. The anchor plates 100 may be installed flush with the underside ofthe table top in 2 rows of two, however, installations of 3 rows of 2, 6rows of 4, or any suitable number of rows with any number of anchorplates 100 per row may be used. In some embodiments, the anchor plates100 may have four pre-drilled holes in their corners, and may befastened to the table with screws or other fasteners. Receptacles 406,502 in the form of threaded inserts may be installed in the underside ofthe table top 400 and the table extension 500.

The protrusions 202 of the rails 200 may then be inserted into thecircular or oval portions 104 of the keyholes 102 of the anchor plates100, and slid toward an end of the table 400 on which the tableextension 500 is to be mounted, such that the protrusions 202 arecaptured by the elongated portions 106 of the keyholes 102 and the rails200 extend beyond the end of the table 400 on which the table extension500 is to be mounted. The table extension 500 may then be positioned onthe rails 200. The locations of the holes 208 in the rails 200 and thereceptacles 406, 502 correspond such that when the protrusions 202 arecaptured by the elongated sections 106 of the anchor plates 100, theholes 208 in the rails 200 align with the receptacles 406 on the table400 and the receptacles 502 on the table extension 500, allowing thethreaded shafts 302 of the fasteners 300 to be inserted through theholes 208 and to engage the receptacles 406, 502, for example, byrotating the threaded shafts 302 into the receptacles when embodied asthreaded inserts. As a result, the rails are securely clamped to thetable top 400 and to the table extension 500.

The system has the advantage of not being visible from the upper side ofthe table. In addition, the rails and fasteners, shown as hand knobs,are removable and storable remotely when not in use. Furthermore, thecombination of the protrusions captured by the anchor plates 100 and thethreaded shafts 302 of the fasteners 300 inserted into the receptaclessignificantly increases the strength of the system and provides supportfor unusually heavy table extensions 500 without movement or sagging.Once installed, the system 10 may be used without tools or specialskills. Any number of anchor plates 100, rails 200, and fasteners 300may be used as is necessary given the length, width, and weight of thetable extension 500.

Referring to a specific example application, it is possible to constructa live edge table with extensions that match the wood pattern. Forexample, 2 feet may be cut from each end of a 12 foot slab to fabricatean 8 foot table. The 2 foot cut pieces may be used as table extensionson the respective ends from which they were trimmed resulting anextended table with a contiguous wood pattern.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the table extension systemsuitable for tables 600 with skirts 602. This embodiment includes anextendable skirt portion 604 separable from the table skirt 602.

Turning to FIG. 5, this embodiment 20 of the table extension system mayinclude at least one bracket 700 for fastening to the table 600, atleast one rail 800, the extendable skirt portion 604, and at least onefastener 300. The bracket 700 may include a number of through holes 702through which a bracket fastener may be inserted for mounting thebracket 700 to the underside of the table 600. The bracket 700 mayfurther include a central opening 704 through which the rail 800 may besupported. The central opening 704 may be lined with felt, plastic, orother material to ensure smooth travel of the rail 800 through thebracket 700. The bracket 700 may further include a threaded through hole706 positioned in the central opening 704 through which a threaded shaft302 of the fastener 300 may be extended to securely press the rail 800into contact with the table 600. Additional fasteners 300 may beprovided that extend through the rail 800 and into the bottom surface ofthe table 600, for example into threaded inserts (not shown).

The rail 800 may have an extended cuboid shape, may be constructed ofrectangular tubing fabricated of metal, plastic, or any materialsuitable for supporting a table extension, and may be sized to supportthe weight of the table extension 500. Tubing sizes may range from ¾″square to 2″ square, however any suitable tubing size may be used. Therail 800 may have a length suitable for engaging any number of brackets700 to extend beyond an edge of the table 600 on which the tableextension is to be mounted. The rail 800 may further include throughholes 802 through which one or more fasteners may be inserted to engagewith the underside of the table 600 and the table extension 500. Therail 800 may have an attachment capability 804 in the form of throughholes, threaded inserts, captured bolts, or any suitable fasteningmechanism, at one end 806 for mounting the extendable skirt portion 604.A stop block 808 may be attached to a second end 810 of the rail 800 tobutt up against the bracket 700 to limit the travel of the rail 800 whenextending beyond the edge of the table 600 on which the table extensionis to be mounted.

FIG. 6 illustrates an underside of the exemplary table 600 and anextension 900 that may be used to extend the table 600 using thedisclosed system 20. The table 600 may generally be provided withreceptacles 606 for receiving fasteners for fixing the brackets 700 tothe underside of the table 600, for example in the form of holes,threaded inserts, or any suitable fastening system for securing thebrackets 700. The table extension 900 may also be provided withreceptacles 902 in the form of holes, threaded inserts, or any suitablefastening system for receiving the threaded shafts 302 of one or more ofthe fasteners 300.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the table extension system 20 attached to thetable 600 and table extension 900. In this example, two rails 800 may beused and four brackets 700 may be attached to the underside of the table600. The fasteners 300 may be loosened or disengaged and the extendableskirt portion 604 may be placed in an extended position. The fasteners300 may be reengaged to secure the rails 800 to the underside of thetable 600, and additional hand knob fasteners 300 may be extendedthrough the rails into the table extension 900 to securely fasten therails 800 to the table extension 900.

An example installation of this embodiment 20 may include fastening thebrackets 700 to the underside of the table. The brackets 700 may beinstalled on the underside of the table top in 2 rows of two, however,installations of 3 rows of 2, 6 rows of 4, or any suitable number ofrows with any number of brackets 700 may be used. In some embodiments,the brackets may have four pre-drilled holes in their corners, and maybe fastened to the table with screws or other fasteners. Theinstallation may include constructing the extendable skirt portion 604,and installing the threaded inserts where required.

As mentioned above, holes 802 may be provided in the rails, where thelocations of the holes in the rails and the threaded inserts correspondsuch that when the extendable skirt portion 604 is extended, the holesin the rails align with the threaded inserts, allowing the shafts 302 ofthe fasteners 300 to be inserted through the holes 802 and engage thethreaded inserts. Upon extension of the extendable skirt portion 604,the shafts 302 of the fasteners 300 may be inserted into and engage thethreaded holes 706 in the brackets 700, and may be inserted through theholes 802 in the rails 800 to engage the treaded inserts in the table600, to clamp the rails 800 securely to the table 600. The shafts 302 ofthe fasteners 300 may also be inserted through the holes in the rails toengage the treaded inserts in the table extension 900, to clamp therails 800 securely to the table extension 900.

In addition to all the advantages of the embodiment disclosed above, andthe use of this embodiment in the specific example application, thisembodiment provides a smooth integration with skirt designs.

It is noted that the embodiments described herein can be usedindividually or in any combination thereof. It should be understood thatthe foregoing description is only illustrative of the embodiments.Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilledin the art without departing from the embodiments. Accordingly, thepresent embodiments are intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to thoseskilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, all suchand similar modifications of the teachings of the disclosed embodimentswill still fall within the scope of the disclosed embodiments.

Various features of the different embodiments described herein areinterchangeable, one with the other. The various described features, aswell as any known equivalents can be mixed and matched to constructadditional embodiments and techniques in accordance with the principlesof this disclosure.

Furthermore, some of the features of the exemplary embodiments could beused to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. Assuch, the foregoing description should be considered as merelyillustrative of the principles of the disclosed embodiments and not inlimitation thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for fastening a table extension to a table, comprising: an anchor plate for fastening to the table; a rail with at least one protrusion, the protrusion configured to extend through an opening in the anchor plate and to position the rail at a particular location on the table; a first fastener configured to extend through the rail into the table to fasten the rail to the table; and a second fastener configured to extend through the rail into the table extension to fasten the rail to the table extension.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the opening in the anchor plate comprises a keyhole shape to capture the protrusion.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the anchor plate is configured to fasten to an underside of the table.
 4. The system of claim 3 comprising a recess in the underside of the table to provide clearance for the protrusion when the anchor plate is fastened to the underside of the table.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the rail comprises an extended cuboid shape.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a threaded insert embedded in an underside of the table for accepting the first fastener.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a threaded insert embedded in an underside of the table extension for accepting the second fastener.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein when the protrusion extends through the opening in the anchor plate, the rail is positioned to extend from an underside of the table to beyond a side of the table.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first fastener is configured to extend through the rail into the table to fasten the rail to the table and the second fastener is configured to extend through the rail into the table extension to fasten the rail to the table extension while the table extension abuts the side of the table.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second fasteners comprise a threaded shaft extending from a knob.
 11. A system for fastening a table extension to a table, comprising: a bracket for fastening to the table; a rail having a table skirt portion mounted at one end and a second end passing through the bracket positioning the rail at a particular location on the table; a first fastener configured to extend through the bracket and engage the rail, pressing the rail into contact with the table, with the table skirt portion in a retracted position; wherein the first fastener is configured to be disengaged from the rail and the table skirt portion is configured to be placed in an extended position; the first fastener is configured to be reengaged with the rail; and a second fastener is configured to extend through the rail into the table extension to fasten the rail to the table extension with the table skirt portion in the extended position.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the bracket comprises a threaded portion through which the first fastener extends.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the bracket is configured to fasten to an underside of the table.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the rail comprises an extended cuboid shape.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the table skirt is positioned on an underside of the table in the retracted position.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the table skirt is positioned to extend beyond a side of the table in the extended position.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first fastener is configured to be reengaged with the rail and the second fastener is configured to extend through the rail into the table extension to fasten the rail to the table extension with the table skirt portion in the extended position while the table extension abuts the side of the table.
 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the first and second fasteners comprise a threaded shaft extending from a knob. 